Help with PP

[N69120]

I have loaded the latest version with the help of amners new guide but when i start pp it says at the top processing SBS1 data but nothing appears on the screen, what am i not doing.
At the bottom of the screen it says no designated aircraft.

I did everything in the guide up to the end of page 12
I am running Vista with a veteran SBS1 mk2

[Anmer]

Sorry, only just checked the Forum.

I'll get back in the morning with some suggestions.

[N69120]

Thanks Anmer

[Anmer]

OK, can I remote access your PC and take a look at the PP settings and get it working for you?

I'll send instructions for remote access.  Dead easy, free and no security risks.

I may spot something that requires an update to my Guide too.

[N69120]

That would be fantastic if you could, please send me the instructions.

I have wanted to give pp a try for ages but have been put of by the posts that say its difficult to set up.

I am very interested in mlat

[Anmer]

Instructions sent by Personal Message.

[N69120]

I would like to take this opportunity to say a very big thankyou to Anmer for his help in getting my pp working. His guide that he has written got me most of the way, i just didnt understand how to do the patch in the sbs(Page 11) and being i was running vista it was slightly different to XP. Now i need to register my copy and sort out sharing and Mlat.

These forums are a god send for new starters to virtual radars or the likes of me just loading another add-on, Guys like Amner who are willing to spend there spare time writing guides, designing add-on software or going one step more to help you set it up. Lots of us take these sites for granted and just browse to get information, we must remember that it costs to host these sites so please donate if you find the information you were looking for.

I certainly will be donating this week, and again Thankyou Anmer for your help. 

[Anmer]

Sorry Andy, been away most of today.

Is PP now working OK?

[Anmer]

While PP fills many gaps that Basestation and ANRB doesn't, I do wish some time was invested in making in a more intuitive product.

Let me share a recent issue with one of our members who suddenly found his outline background had changed from black to white.  To be fair, I suspect he changed a setting without realising it - it's easily done.  But changing it back to black has taken two days and an exchange of emails with PP guru satcom.

The screenshots below illustrate the problem.

The first is the white background.  The second where one might expect to change the background colour.  The third is the correct option BUT, the color palette (last image) always highlights black, no matter what is selected or set.

For the background to change, the palette window needs to be OK'd and the outline itself refreshed.

Maybe a bit of usability effort wouldn't go a miss?  And notice that the Background buttons show the currently selected colour "white" whereas the Vector background just says "select".

And where is this covered in the Manual?

I know this is a trade off for rapid software development but now and again a bit of a tidyup wouldn't go amiss.  satcom would like to see PP taken up by more than 5% of the Basestation user base, but until it becomes less onerous to setup, configure and use I doubt this will happen.  My PP Getting Started Guide is the most downloaded file here on Radarspotters, not because its a masterpiece, more 'cause it's needed.  Even I have to read it when I get asked for help!

[satcom]

To be fair Mike I'm not quite sure why you show an image of a section which has nothing to do with mapping  in picture 2.... Its quite clearly labelled.......  "Labels" !!!!!!!!!

The Vector mapping background is labelled.........Well surprise surprise.....Vector Background.
The reason the colour isnt  indicated on the chart setting screen for vector background is that you have the option to create your own , not just from the  many indicated ones , but from the user defined section , so it would be impossible to name every one.

As always , PPusers should ensure they  join the PP Yahoo group ...not only because thats where they'll find all the answers to their questions , but because its where they'll get important info about updates , etc.

I agree there are some gaps in the help file , but there's also the Wiki , the Wizard and of course your own guide.

Incidentally , new users will now be taken to the Wizard when loading PP for the first time , which should hopefully solve some of the initial teething problems.

[Anmer]

The reason I showed that image is because, dumbo that I am, its where my eyes naturally fall when looking for a "background" color option.  That's what I'm trying to say, it's all about "usability".

How many average Basestation users have a clue about "Vector Bacgrounds"?  Not too many I reckon.

The button could always show the selected colour?

You make the point that PP hasn't really penetrated the market too much.  Maybe its because there's been no marketing.  Or maybe because it appears too daunting for the average user?  Well that's what they tell me.

I'm not trying to dilute the value of PP, far from it.  I think with a bit of investment in usability you might get even more "customers".

As one of my old bosses used to say, "Imagine they're all Martians and have no idea what it's all about".

And I used to love Lego building instructions.  Not a single word, just pictures.

Just my twopenneth.

[allan senior]

Hello,
Am having no luck in getting the .gpx overlays to either show up on screen or in the chart folder. When I click on gpx in the chart option it comes up with the folder I thought they were in but are not displayed.
Thanks
Allan

[Anmer]

Allan

Where are your gpx files?  Do you have any?

PP just needs to locate one and load it.

[allan senior]

Thanks Anmer, I may have solved it.
Having copied the .gpx files into the chart folder i thought that was enough. Turns out that I have to get it to look in that directory each time before saving that configuration as a b c or d. I supposed that it knew to look in the chart folder without me having to point it in that direction.

Does the same apply to hi res airfield plans and is there one for EIDW anywhere? Can't see it on the sbsr disc and it suggests that you need three for a complete airfield. Given my geographical and topographical distance from a busy airport I am finding PP very enjoyable when looking closely at Dublin and listening on liveatc to the movements.

Thanks

Allan

[Anmer]

Outlines all go into the same location and you can use Basestation ones.  Just add them to the folder as you want to use them.

I have to go out for dinner tonite so am off now.